***Official Seafoam Thread***

I have a question about engine/fuel system cleaners. Currently, my car has 62,000 miles on it and about to go in for its service. I wanted to run some kinda cleaner through it since it has been feeling sluggish. What would you guys recommend? Any specific kinds? What would be best at this point in time to do maintenance wise to the car?

Sparks + air filter + cabin filter (if it hasnt been replaced) + oil change + fuel additive. You may try the Seafoam DIY http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=238957 but be careful with the deep creep stuff.

bump....i need to buy some stuff today

ttt

Dealership promotes Wynns or something like that... I have no idea where to get it.

I use Chevron with Techron in the gas tank to clean fuel injectors with every oil change.

Originally Posted by Commander FAT

I use Chevron with Techron in the gas tank to clean fuel injectors with every oil change.

I only use Chevron gas in my car.

Originally Posted by Sparc_it

I only use Chevron gas in my car.

I'm talking about the fuel injector cleaner. It's in a black bottle. It's about $5 or 6$ at Autozone/Pep Boys whereever.

Originally Posted by Commander FAT

I'm talking about the fuel injector cleaner. It's in a black bottle. It's about $5 or 6$ at Autozone/Pep Boys whereever.

Got ya.

What about a complete engine cleaner? Other than Seafoam. I really don't want to risk hydrolock.

GUNK Citris engine cleaner and detailer. Works great!
Hydro-lock?? Did you plan on driving it into a pond to rinse?

Originally Posted by hummer

GUNK Citris engine cleaner and detailer. Works great!
Hydro-lock?? Did you plan on driving it into a pond to rinse?

I am talking about cleaning the internals of the engine, not making the outside of the engine look clean.

try BG products or you can even buy the "BMW fuel additives."

I also use chevron techron before every oil change, but if you've never done it before, you can do 2500mile intervals instead of 5k (or whatever your oil change interval is /2).
I also suggest replacing your fuel filter in addition to the items mentioned above, that will also help a lot.

Has anyone here done a hot soak where you suck the cleaner in through a vacuum hose on rthe intake? It was my old standby method on the E30 but not sure if it works as well on E46.

Of course, these days you have to really look aorund for an intake vacuum hose.

there was a thread about it and it had a DIY write-up. The consensus was positive and that it did work. I haven't done it yet, but I have used seafoam the gas tank which supposedly cleans the fuel injectors.

Has anyone ever put Seafoam into their oil, as in directly adding some to the crankcase? On the bottle, it says it's safe to do so, but I haven't heard of anyone doing it on the E46. I know it's safe to put it in through a vacuum hose and the gas tank, but I'm curious if anyone has added it straight to the oil. And if so, what were the results?

-Ken

Going to try it on my non-bmw thru the vacuum, wouldn't dare to try the crankcase method in fear of loosening up too much sludge. maybe minute amounts over a very long period of time can safely clean things up?

I've put an entire can in before an oil change and it did seem to flush the engine fairly well - I wouldn't worry too much about loosening too much stuff unless your engine is actually sludged (as was the case in my 540i that I used it in).

If you add it into your intake manifold, be careful not to use too much and hydrolock your engine. One point of caution - when you add it into your intake mani, it'll bust out a lot of smoke - enough that it'll almost look like your car might be on fire, so be prepared for irate neighbors as huge billowing clouds of white smoke start coming from your car.

It does a good job with injectors from what I've seen as well - I'd use it again. Another thing about adding it to the oil - make sure you don't drive it aggressively after adding it to your oil, it acts as a solvent and will thin your oil a bit - so it may not be lubricated as well at higher rpms.

You shouldn't run seafoam for long periods in your crankcase because it breaks down the oil. It's a good idea to pour a bottle in about 300miles before your next scheduled oil change.

Originally Posted by BMW Loe

You shouldn't run seafoam for long periods in your crankcase because it breaks down the oil. It's a good idea to pour a bottle in about 300miles before your next scheduled oil change.

+1

works really well btw